Friday Column with Mohammed Adamu
(08035892325 sms only) | dankande2@gmail.com
Note: a rehashed version of ‘Random Musings on Anti-corruption’; published Jan/19/2016.
Yes, ‘integrity’ is critical to the
fight against corruption. But concerning political leadership
‘integrity’ is merely a ‘moral necessity’. It is not a requirement of
the law. It may be useful in winning election; but it is the prerogative
of the electorate to notice or to ignore. Which is not to suggest that a
‘political leader’ fighting corruption should have only the ‘legal
authority’ to do so. To be more effective it is desirable that he should
also have some ‘moral authority’ to boot. Which again is not to
suggest
that he must be an ‘angel’ with an unblemished escutcheon. It suffices
that his ‘blemish’ is unknown to law –even if it stinks in the nose of
‘public perception’.Public perception’ as you know, is always the unkindest bitch of all. It gazes not at ‘the world of its own thoughts’; but rather it sniffs at ‘the universe of its own feelings’. ‘Public perception’ is just as bitchy as prejudice is a son-of-a-bitch. As they say, ‘prejudice sees what it pleases but ignores what is plain‘.
And the civilized world has not helped matters. It has elevated ‘public perception’ to an ‘index’ of universal righteousness. ‘Public perception’ is now its own very court. And it now possess the universal right even to deliver irrational judgment. In the Court of Public Opinion it is not about who is guilty of an offence. It is about who the public perceives to be guilty of an offence –especially corrupt on corruption and related matters.
Public perception cant be any more unfair. Rotimi Amechie, for example –perceived as corrupt evidently by political archenemies- should not have been made Minister. He was supposed to have been ‘guilty’ abinitio –if not ‘guilty as charged’ yet, at the very least ‘guilty as perceived’. And so the argument was made that it was Amechi who should be ‘guilty’ until he proved himself innocent, not a squealing, squeaking and singing Dasuki, the gratuitous ATM-machine, who was already caught in the act as would a ‘pestle into a mortar’. Ironically, Dasuki –for upping the ante in the wager of public greed and graft, was even touted as a presidential material come 2019. He alone, and all his accessories –before and after the fact of corruption- are to be presumed innocent until they are proved guilty!
In fact they say that the Buhari administration has not the ‘moral authority’ to investigate or to punish corruption. Because, as with a discredited PDP, APC too is peopled by many ‘perceived’ to be corrupt. And so many now insist that for the reason that a ‘saint-seducing’, ‘holier-than-thou’ APC continues to admit decampees from an incorrigibly-sinning PDP, it has neither the integrity nor the credibility to conduct a war against corruption. That the APC should either not have started the crusade in the first place, or it should’ve taken on its own first.
But if taking on APC’s Saraki, Nyako, Jafar and co has not been fair enough until Amechi, Fashola, Tinubu and now Magu are framed, what else can be more prejudicially ‘selective’? As the regime is being accused of being ‘selective’ in its crusade against corruption, so it is challenged to ‘select’ its own. To select particular named persons in order to shirk off the allegation of being ‘selective’, is to be ‘selective’ still –by default!
Some even said that since Buhari is a lone ‘saint’ in a sea of ‘sinners’, he alone –and not any other- has the ‘moral authority’ to be in office and to fight corruption. Yet others say that even he has not the moral authority to fight a war against corruption. And you bet that ‘moral deficit’ by now has even dipped the more especially with the albatross of Babachir about to be hung on him, or which he has unwittingly hung on his frail shoulders. Candidly Babachir should have helped the President and –notwithstanding his guilt or innocence- taken a bow, if the President would not help himself by casting the mango to be rid of flies! Some of them.
They have one too many jokers lined up. If the President acquits himself of one, he will not acquit himself against another. One red herring after another the Buhari anti-corruption war –like all previous ones- must be stopped! They had said already that he had ingratiated himself when he ran the PTF; and that although he made his asset declaration public, as he promised –not as he is obligated by law- he did not attach money value to his real estate property, or to his oft-fecundating –yet decreasing- herd of cattle. It can thus be seen that the voices against Buhari’s anti-corruption war have never been altruistic, let alone puritanical. They are fetid and putrescent. Because they advocate ‘doing-nothing’.
We are obligated both by law and by morality to concede the grace already given to those ‘presumed innocent’ until they are proven guilty. Politicians who are not encumbered by law, even if they are hamstrung by the ‘perception’ of public opinion as unclean, have not only the ‘legal right’ to vie and to be elected into office, but while in office, they also have the ‘moral obligation’ at least not to be corrupt and then the ‘moral authority’ to prevent, to expose and to punish corruption. It should not be the prerogative of those who are accused of corruption, to decide who is ‘morally competent’ or not to make them amenable to the law.
It is sufficient that a political leader’s claim to ‘moral authority’ is not contradicted by any indictment of a court of competent jurisdiction. And although a positive public perception of a political leader’s integrity is a valuable incentive to the presumption of his ‘integrity’, nonetheless even a negative one –for the reason that it is merely a perception- will be immaterial to the ‘right’ and ‘authority’ of that political leader to proceed with the all-important task of fighting corruption.
If the NASS -which has always been more sinning with regard to corruption than it has ever been sinned against- lays claim to this ‘moral authority’ to ‘fight’ corruption especially by its current grandstanding against Magu and Babachir, why should not Buhari, or his avenging angel, Magu who the NASS had not only self-servingly ‘presumed guilty’, but also denied a fair hearing to prove his innocence? Isn’t it wonderful, that those who are loudest in mouthing the mantra of the ‘presumption of innocence’, are the same who would be quick to actuate an accused person without the benefit of ‘fair hearing’?
Postscript
Nonetheless it is both a moral and legal requirement that in the fight against corruption a political leader must proceed with the utmost detachment and un-affection. He must approach the fight as much without fear or favor as without bias or malice aforethought. He is obligated both by law and by morality to be true to ‘friends’ and to ‘foes’ alike. Only thereafter will he be justified -by law and by morality- to ride the chariot of fire and to wield the Sword of Damocles without sympathy and without antipathy. Therein lies the ‘integrity’, as distinct from the ‘authority’, to probe others. ‘Integrity’ in this context is as the U.S. abolitionist Henry Ward Beecher defines it: a “reputation for good judgment, for fair dealing, for truth, and for rectitude”. It is desirable that any anti-corruption crusader, whether a ‘person’, a ‘system’ or an ‘institution’ should be animated at all times by the Beecher-qualities in order to be ‘believed’, ‘trusted’ and ‘respected’.
Experts have identified three levels of ‘integrity’, namely: one, ‘integrity’ of the ‘system of governance’; -as in the ‘justness’ and ‘fairness’ of the ‘democratic system’. Do the people –no matter their pleasure or their displeasure with it- feel that it is their government because it was duly installed by them? two,‘Integrity of the sub-systems’ of governance, -as in the ‘justness’, ‘truthfulness’ and ‘rectitude’ of the democratic institutions, such as the executive, the legislature, the judiciary and all the law enforcement structures under them, like the Police, prisons, immigration etc.. Even as they operate disparately, do their exertions conduce to build public confidence in the democratic super structure? and three, ‘Integrity of the leadership’ that directs and drives these processes. As in ‘is the leadership bogged down by sympathies or does it allow itself to be burdened by antipathies? Are its actions ‘politically neutral’ or are they ‘motivated’ by politics?
The democratic ‘system’ has integrity only if it is the product of strong, credible, democratic institutions; or if it is itself the birth-mother of strong, credible, democratic institutions. For example, a self-regulating ‘democratic system’ with a credible electoral process that guarantees the right of the people to regularly elect or remove their governments is a veritable anti-corruption tool kit all by itself. Thus elected leaders will be held in constant restraint not to exceed their limits and risk being punished on election day.
As with an independent, credible electoral process, so it is with an innovatively progressive and reformative lawmaking body. A legislature that is ready to radically and swiftly legislate to meet the constantly mutating faces of corruption is itself a veritable anti-corruption tool kit. Corrupt political leaders hitherto secure in the protection offered by technically manipulable legal system, are now held in check by the knowledge that the Fountain of Justice is no longer a refuge of, and sanctuary for, rogues.
As with a credible electoral process, so it is with an independent and credible justice system. A judiciary manned effectively by incorruptible judges who dispense justice not just ‘according to law’, but ‘judicially and judiciously’, is a veritable anti-corruption tool kit all by itself. Because political leaders privileged to manage the patrimonies of state are held in constant restraint not to abuse their privileges because they know that in the courts of the land ‘whatever measure (they) mete’, with that also ‘it shall be measured to (them)’.
Nonetheless it is both a moral and legal requirement that in the fight against corruption a political leader must proceed with the utmost detachment and un-affection. He must approach the fight as much without fear or favor as without bias or malice aforethought. He is obligated both by law and by morality to be true to ‘friends’ and to ‘foes’ alike. Only thereafter will he be justified -by law and by morality- to ride the chariot of fire and to wield the Sword of Damocles without sympathy and without antipathy. Therein lies the ‘integrity’, as distinct from the ‘authority’, to probe others. ‘Integrity’ in this context is as the U.S. abolitionist Henry Ward Beecher defines it: a “reputation for good judgment, for fair dealing, for truth, and for rectitude”. It is desirable that any anti-corruption crusader, whether a ‘person’, a ‘system’ or an ‘institution’ should be animated at all times by the Beecher-qualities in order to be ‘believed’, ‘trusted’ and ‘respected’.
Experts have identified three levels of ‘integrity’, namely: one, ‘integrity’ of the ‘system of governance’; -as in the ‘justness’ and ‘fairness’ of the ‘democratic system’. Do the people –no matter their pleasure or their displeasure with it- feel that it is their government because it was duly installed by them? two,‘Integrity of the sub-systems’ of governance, -as in the ‘justness’, ‘truthfulness’ and ‘rectitude’ of the democratic institutions, such as the executive, the legislature, the judiciary and all the law enforcement structures under them, like the Police, prisons, immigration etc.. Even as they operate disparately, do their exertions conduce to build public confidence in the democratic super structure? and three, ‘Integrity of the leadership’ that directs and drives these processes. As in ‘is the leadership bogged down by sympathies or does it allow itself to be burdened by antipathies? Are its actions ‘politically neutral’ or are they ‘motivated’ by politics?
The democratic ‘system’ has integrity only if it is the product of strong, credible, democratic institutions; or if it is itself the birth-mother of strong, credible, democratic institutions. For example, a self-regulating ‘democratic system’ with a credible electoral process that guarantees the right of the people to regularly elect or remove their governments is a veritable anti-corruption tool kit all by itself. Thus elected leaders will be held in constant restraint not to exceed their limits and risk being punished on election day.
As with an independent, credible electoral process, so it is with an innovatively progressive and reformative lawmaking body. A legislature that is ready to radically and swiftly legislate to meet the constantly mutating faces of corruption is itself a veritable anti-corruption tool kit. Corrupt political leaders hitherto secure in the protection offered by technically manipulable legal system, are now held in check by the knowledge that the Fountain of Justice is no longer a refuge of, and sanctuary for, rogues.
As with a credible electoral process, so it is with an independent and credible justice system. A judiciary manned effectively by incorruptible judges who dispense justice not just ‘according to law’, but ‘judicially and judiciously’, is a veritable anti-corruption tool kit all by itself. Because political leaders privileged to manage the patrimonies of state are held in constant restraint not to abuse their privileges because they know that in the courts of the land ‘whatever measure (they) mete’, with that also ‘it shall be measured to (them)’.
Re- ‘abuja ‘fleet-street’ and that ‘kuje mother of two’
+2348037844563:- “Sir, your write up on Abuja Fleet Street is a masterpiece. God bless you, am really touched” –Princess Trisha
+234033105354:- “Sorry Mohammed, you forgot your Shakespeare. The (first) quote in your Column was in Macbeth, not Julius Caesar!” Regards, Bilya Bala
On-line:- “Rankadade, I share in this pain and loss just like I was a resident of Fleet-Street and neighbor to the deceased. May their souls rest in peace”. -Thomas Brown Usman Wamba”.
On-line:- “Nostalgia in creativity, abi creativity in nostalgia? I can relate to every aspect of this write up, probably “because I am involved” in the two different locations on which the story is based –even though I am or was on the periphery of the epicenters of the setting. Your piece created the same feeling I get each time I pass through Area 3 Fleet Street where everybody knew everybody then –in spite of many differences; and you, Shareef Mohammed, Tunde Asaju, Afro King, Mrs. Tina Mohammed of ‘Kunzob’ repute, Mama Itohan and Baba Lucky come to mind whenever one passes through that neighborhood. Unfortunately most of us pass through now as total strangers. –Aliyu Yahya.
On-line:- “Mohammed this is a masterpiece tribute and I can now recollect with nostalgia the memory of the personalities and the events. May their souls rest in peace” –Sam Abi.
On-line:- “Tear-inducing. Just read this piece for the second time today and on each occasion, your handling of the story of late Iyawo and her children did not fail to bring tears to my eyes. May God repose their souls”. –Abdulrazaq Magaji.
On-line:- “My Editor, you rewound my mind back to the mid 90s, when I learnt to drink a mixture of ‘Kunu’ and ‘Zobo’. May God reward you and may the souls of the departed rest in peace”. –Aboky’s Newpage.
On-line:- “Sad news! Such a painful death. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace”. –Charles Okoro
Corrigendum+2348037844563:- “Sir, your write up on Abuja Fleet Street is a masterpiece. God bless you, am really touched” –Princess Trisha
+234033105354:- “Sorry Mohammed, you forgot your Shakespeare. The (first) quote in your Column was in Macbeth, not Julius Caesar!” Regards, Bilya Bala
On-line:- “Rankadade, I share in this pain and loss just like I was a resident of Fleet-Street and neighbor to the deceased. May their souls rest in peace”. -Thomas Brown Usman Wamba”.
On-line:- “Nostalgia in creativity, abi creativity in nostalgia? I can relate to every aspect of this write up, probably “because I am involved” in the two different locations on which the story is based –even though I am or was on the periphery of the epicenters of the setting. Your piece created the same feeling I get each time I pass through Area 3 Fleet Street where everybody knew everybody then –in spite of many differences; and you, Shareef Mohammed, Tunde Asaju, Afro King, Mrs. Tina Mohammed of ‘Kunzob’ repute, Mama Itohan and Baba Lucky come to mind whenever one passes through that neighborhood. Unfortunately most of us pass through now as total strangers. –Aliyu Yahya.
On-line:- “Mohammed this is a masterpiece tribute and I can now recollect with nostalgia the memory of the personalities and the events. May their souls rest in peace” –Sam Abi.
On-line:- “Tear-inducing. Just read this piece for the second time today and on each occasion, your handling of the story of late Iyawo and her children did not fail to bring tears to my eyes. May God repose their souls”. –Abdulrazaq Magaji.
On-line:- “My Editor, you rewound my mind back to the mid 90s, when I learnt to drink a mixture of ‘Kunu’ and ‘Zobo’. May God reward you and may the souls of the departed rest in peace”. –Aboky’s Newpage.
On-line:- “Sad news! Such a painful death. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace”. –Charles Okoro
The quotation, “Life is but a working shadow, a poor player that struts and frets its hour upon the stage and then is heard no more”, is in ‘Macbeth’ not ‘Julius Caesar’ as I inadvertently attributed in my last week’s title ‘‘Abuja ‘Fleet-Street’ and that ‘Kuje Mother of two’. The error is regretted
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